“Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
Luke 23:43
Were there ever such comforting words for a person to hear than those of Jesus to the thief on the cross? And was there ever a better demonstration that salvation can come to anyone at any time, always and completely by the grace of God and not by anything we do? There hung the convicted thief, unable to do anything at all except believe.
Jesus was crucified along with two thieves, one on His left and one on His right. We don’t know the details of the crimes they committed, but they were severe enough to warrant this gruesome punishment. One thief mocked Jesus while the other rebuked him, saying, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong” (v. 41). Then he asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom, acknowledging that Jesus was the Savior.
Even as Jesus struggled painfully for another breath, He forgave the thief on the cross—no matter what he had done or how despised he was in this world. And Jesus extends the same forgiveness to us, who are guilty of our own sins.
Jesus was crucified along with two thieves, one on His left and one on His right. We don’t know the details of the crimes they committed, but they were severe enough to warrant this gruesome punishment. One thief mocked Jesus while the other rebuked him, saying, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong” (v. 41). Then he asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom, acknowledging that Jesus was the Savior.
Even as Jesus struggled painfully for another breath, He forgave the thief on the cross—no matter what he had done or how despised he was in this world. And Jesus extends the same forgiveness to us, who are guilty of our own sins.
Scripture Focus
Luke 23:39-43
Insight
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). No matter what you have done, God’s forgiveness is available to you.
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 41-42
- Psalm 21
- Mark 1
